Detectives have launched a murder probe after a woman was found dead at a flat in Accrington.
A 52-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of murder. She remains in custody for questioning.
The investigation was launched after police were called to a ‘concern for welfare call’ in Walmsley Close, in the Church area of the town, at 12.25pm on Tuesday (January 14).
Inside the ground-floor property, police found the body of a woman in her 50s. A Home Office post mortem has established the woman’s cause of death to be stab wounds.
Officers said her death is being treated as suspicious and her family are being supported by specially-trained officers. Hyndburn Police said it is ‘being treated as an isolated incident’ and there is ‘no perceived wider threat to the public’.
Patrols have been increased in the area ‘as a precaution’. An appeal has been launched for anyone with information to come forward.
In a statement, a force spokesperson said: “We have launched a murder investigation after a woman’s body was found inside a property in Church. Our officers were called to a ground floor flat in Walmsley Close at 12.25pm on Tuesday (14th January 2025) following a concern for welfare call.
“Once inside the property, we sadly found a woman in her 50s deceased. Her death is being treated as suspicious and her family are being supported by specially-trained officers. Our thoughts are with them at this distressing time.
“A Home Office post mortem has established the woman’s cause of death to be stab wounds. A 52-year-old local woman has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody at this time.
“This is being treated as an isolated incident and there is no perceived wider threat to the public. We have increased reassurance patrols in the area as a precaution.
“Detectives are asking anyone who saw, heard or captured anything suspicious in the area, between 3rd January and 12.25pm on Tuesday (14th January) to contact the police as soon as possible. Although we have made an arrest our enquiries are very much ongoing.
“We would ask anyone with information which could assist the investigation team to get in touch as soon as they can. Anyone with information is asked to report it here: or call 101. Quote log 0512 of 14th January 2025.”
DCI Andy Fallows, from the Force Major Investigation Team, said: “A woman has died as a result of a significant assault and my thoughts are very much with her loved ones. Although we have made an arrest our enquiries are very much ongoing.
“I would ask anyone with information which could assist the investigation team to get in touch as soon as they can.”
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